New York bombing: An act of terrorism?

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, right, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, second right, look over the mangled remains of a dumpster Sunday, September 18, in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. An explosion injured 29 people there the night before.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

Authorities believe the blast was caused by an explosive device in or near this dumpster. All 29 victims have been released from hospitals, according to the governor.

The New York Police Department's Counterterrorism Bureau tweeted this image of the crumpled dumpster following the explosion in Chelsea.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

Just blocks away from the explosion, a suspicious device was found. Officials said the device appeared to be a pressure cooker with dark-colored wiring protruding, connected by silver duct tape to what appeared to be a cell phone.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

De Blasio, in the blue tie, speaks at a news conference near the scene on Saturday. He was joined by New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

Police block off a road near the site of the explosion.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

Firefighters and emergency workers gather at the scene.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

Police officers and firefighters respond to the scene.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

A New York police officer and his dog check a garbage can close to the scene of the explosion.

Story highlights

Terrorism describes an attack that is motivated by political or ideological aims

(CNN)New York's governor didn't mince words Sunday as he discussed an explosion that injured 29 people the night before in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

"A bomb exploding in New York is obviously an act of terrorism," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news conference. "A bomb going off is generically a terrorist activity. That's how we'll consider it. And that's how we will prosecute it."

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He reaffirmed that point on Sunday when pressed on whether he was comfortable calling it an act of terrorism.

"Here is what we know: It was intentional. It was a violent act. It was certainly a criminal act. It was a bombing. That's what we know. To understand any specific motivation, political motivations, any connection to an organization, that's what we don't know."

Police Commissioner James O'Neill echoed the sentiment. If and when the investigation reveals a motive pointing to terrorism, "we'll say it loud and clear," he said.